Compass: Charting the Evolution of Outdoor Gear

Ajungilak History

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1855

Michael Breien starts business, called Mechanisk Wattfabrik, in Chr. Kroghsgt 16, Oslo, Norway

specialises in making waddings from recycled cotton and wool, for mattresses, pillows, clothing and upholstery

1869

Business has a turnover of NOK 60,000 Norwegian Kroner and a staff of ten

Jacob Breien sells the factory to Georg Richard Fuglesang

1889

Make their first sleeping bag, filled with reindeer hair and kapok

North Pole expeditioner, Fridtjof Nansen, co-develops ‘first extreme sleeping bag’

1990

sale are now 100,000 Norwegian Kroner with a staff of fifteen

Georg Richard Fuglesang’s three sons join the business

1903

Georg Richard Fuglesang II runs the business

1920

make their first down sleeping bags

1932

Georg Richard Fuglesang II joins the firm and focuses on the sleeping bag business

Martin Mehren and Arne Hoygaard crosse Greenland using the sleeping bags

They propose new word for sleeping bag range,“Ajungilak” said to be Inuit for “warm greeting” or “comfort”

1945

Turnover is 525,000 Norwegian Kroner with a staff of twenty five

1947

A new 3000 m2 factory is completed with modern carding and sewing machines

1950

make their first synthetic sleeping bag

1960

production spreads to a second factory in Honefoss (50 km NW of Oslo)

1963

an old wool factory in Berger (60 km S of Oslo) purchased for processing of down and feather for new range of sleeping bags and quilts.

1964

fourth Georg Richard Fuglesang join A/S GR Fuglesangs Sonner to build the down and feather division

1969

exporting to Sweden, Germany and United Kingdom, via Helly Hansen

1970

all production in Oslo moved to a 4,500 m2 factory in Honefoss

1973

add on a 1,100 m2 warehouse

product range centres on only bedding and sleeping bags

establish the British sales company, Snuggledown of Norway (UK) Ltd

1979

UK business becomes a production company and a new building is purchased in Milton Keynes, UK

1980

parent company renamed as Ajungilak A/S

German subsidiary established in Hamburg

1991

purchase the assets of bankrupt Nordiska Fjader AB (Northern Feather) of Malmo, Sweden

With Northern Feather purchase acquire new technology, modern production machinery and substantial market share in Sweden

1997

Snuggledown of Norway (UK) Ltd sold

focus is concentrated exclusively on outdoor products

1999

all production in Norway ceases, due to prohibitive costs

sleeping bag production is moved to a Ajungilak facility near Beijing, China

2001

acquired by Switzerland’s Mammut Sports, whose parent company is Conzzeta Holding

wins “Gear of the Year” award in German magazine ‘Outdoor’ for best synthetic bag

2002

wins “Gear of the Year” award in German magazine ‘Outdoor’ for best synthetic bag

2003

wins “Gear of the Year” award in German magazine ‘Outdoor’ for best synthetic bag

launches world's first seamless synthetic sleeping bag. Insulation is spot-laminated to bag shell.

2004

wins the best award in German magazine ‘Outdoor’ for both synthetic and down bags

2005

Mammut’s sales are 150 million swiss francs

Ajungilak Mammut today